Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke suffers whiplash in taxi

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 25: Scott Van Slyke #33 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Chicago Cubs during the game at Wrigley Field on June 25, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Dodgers defeated the Cubs 4-0. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

An injury kept outfielder Scott Van Slyke out of the Los Angeles Dodgers' game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Saturday, but the way he sustained the injury wasn't quite in the manner one would expect.

Manager Don Mattingly told reporters that Van Slyke suffered whiplash while riding in the back of a taxi cab in New York. Van Slyke's head slammed into the Plexiglas partition after the cab came to an abrupt stop.

The 29-year-old left fielder, who has played some first base for the Dodgers this season, was unavailable for Saturday's game, but pinch-hit in the Dodgers' game on Sunday, laying down a sacrifice bunt.